Common Topics

Recent Articles

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Portable

If you were tempted by Iomega’s eGo Mac, but spend more time reading from your drive than writing to it, then the Seagate GoFlex Portable should be top of your list when it comes to mobile drives. With sequential reads edging just above 80MB/s it's also competitive with the desktop drives.

If you’ve ever used a GoFlex drive before you’ll be familiar with the interchangeable interfaces compatible with every unit. The 1.5TB model tested features only a FireWire 800 connection, but you can purchase an adapter for USB or eSata, if needed. Admittedly it’s not as convenient as having the ports built into the housing, but you can also use the adapters with any 2.5in Sata drive too. The only real negative aspect with this drive is that the interface adapters are a bit bulky, making it a little less pocketable. Still, its price and versatility are a definite plus.

Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go Mac

I've reviewed Verbatim’s USB 3.0 line of Store ‘n’ Go drives and found them to be surprisingly good. Yet its FireWire alternative is a bit of a disappointment with this 500GB drive achieving 57MB/s writes over FireWire 800. Even using Crystal DiskMark and USB 3.0 I only achieved 75MB/s with this model, some 30MB/s slower than it’s USB 3.0-only incarnation.

Yes, it’s stylish and it reminds me of the third generation iPod Classic, yet even with its Apple-esque styling I find the performance a bit average. On the plus side, this is a very light and easily portable drive for the user who doesn’t mind waiting a few extra seconds.